Stalk-cutter



No. 62l,695. Patented Mar. 2|, I899.

.l. u; moss. .STALK CUTTER.

(Application filed July 8, 1898.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN H. MOSS, OF COMMERCE, TEXAS.

.STALK-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent'No. 621,695, dated lYlIarch 21, 1899.

' I Application filed July 8, 1898. V Serial No. 685,385- (No' model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN H. Moss, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Commerce, in the county of Hunt and State of is simple, strong, and durable in construction and certain and efficient in operation.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

I have. fully and clearly illustrated my improvements in the annexed drawings, forming a part hereof, and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective of the complete machine, the cutter-roller shield being broken away to show the roller.-

I vation showing one'of the carrying-shoes and the spring which holds it in upper or normal position. Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the cutters removed from the roller. Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the roller.

A designates a substantial frame of such dimensions as will adapt it to the purposes intended. This frame A consists of parallel side rails or beams 1 and 2, united at their front ends by a strong cross-bar 3 and braced and stiffened by two braces 4 4E, reaching from the middle of the cross-bar 5 to the corners or intersections of the side rails 1 2. with the cross-bar 3, substantially as shown in the drawings. At about the middle of the frame is secured a strong cross-piece 5, which braces the side pieces or rails and constitutes a rakehead. Through this cross-piece 5 are projected gathering teeth or 'arms 6, which are placed far enough apart to turn the stalks and vines in the direction of the movement of the machine and so that they may be more directly in the path of the knives. In the ends of the side rails are hung suitable hitchinglinks 7 8, to which the traces or singletrees of Fig. 2 is a side ele-.

the horse may be connected in any well-known manner. In the middle of the front crossbar 3 is journaled a caster-wheel '9, which carries that end of the frame at the proper height for operation during the progress of the machine over the ground. On the crossbar 5 is mounted the drivers seat 10, which may be of any of the approved styles adapted for the purpose.

B designates the cutter-roller, j ournaled in suitable boxes or bearings in the side rails, at the rear portion thereof, and consisting of a piece of wood or other proper material of the desired length and diameter or thickness and made polygonal in cross-section,with five sides or faces and carrying five knives or cutters. These knives or cutters consist of strong blades 11, extending the length of the body of the cutter and adapted to lie along the edge of each section of the body and are secured to the body of the cutter by means of strong metal arms or straps 12, which may have elongated slots 13 in them,through which the fastening screws or bolts 14 are projected,

whereby the knives may be adjusted and fitted properly to their seats.

To lift and carry the frame with the roller free from the ground or over obstructions in the path of the machine, shoes or runners 16 are pivotally secured to each side rail and are curved downward and extend rearward, as shown, being arranged to ride free from the ground when the machine is in operation; but in order that the runners or shoes may be readily brought into requisition to lift the roller free from the ground I fulcrum a lever 17 to the frame, which bears with its lower end, which is cam-shaped, on the upper face or edge of the shoe, and to more conveniently operate the levers I pivotally connect a handlever 18 to the side of the frame. and connect this to the lever 17 by a connecting-rod 19. The levers 18 being convenient to the driver they may be manipulated by him as occasion requires. To hold the shoes or runners in normal position, I secure aleaf-spring 20 to the under side of the side rails, the spring being formed with a lateral projection 21,

which bears on the under face of the shoe or runner, as indicated in the drawings.

It will be perceived that theremay be two cutter-rollers in the machine instead of one 2 senses and also that the machine is made broad enough to straddle or take in two rows of corn-stubs under ordinary arrangement.

The uses of my improved machine are apparent from the foregoing description, but may be here collated as follows: The machine is drawn or carried to the position in the field and then moved forward, when the contact of the knives with the ground rotates the cutter, so that during the progress and revolution they are brought into impact and engagement with the stalks and vines and by the stroke impelled by the weight of the machine increased by that of the rider the stalks are out or chopped into pieces.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A stalk and vine cutter comprising a rectangular frame, a cross-piece in the frame, arms vertically and downwardly projected through the cross-piece, to turn the stalks toward the roller, a cutter-roller journaled in the frame behind the said arms, knives on the roller, shoes or runners pivotally mounted at the rear of the frame, levers fulcrumed on the sides of the frame and formed with cam-shaped ends to engage the runners, and springs on the frame to return and hold the runners up and free from the ground, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. MOSS.

Witnesses:

W. H. MILLER, E. E. LYDAY. 

